@harkcr continued from [x]
Jeremy’s expression froze.
For one wild, fleeting moment, he entertained the fantasy of denying everything. He could do it– he knew he could do it– he had plausible deniability, and the wonderful anonymity of a common first name.
But some things are inevitable, and the fallout of lying to Siger Holmes (or worse still: Siger Holmes Discovering He’d Been Lied To) had…professional consequences. Not to mention personal.
Some men can turn you fifteen again with a look. Some men knew you back when you wore Doc Martins and thought black lipstick was the height of ‘Cool’. Some men have the capacity to call you ‘Jeremy Harker’ and get away with it.
…But he was an adult now, with his own bloody Foundation and his own bloody Job. He wasn’t going to be intimidated by a fucking Politician. Let alone Mycroft’s father.
Jeremy took a deep breath, cursed every person under the sun who had organised this event, and turned.
“Mr Holmes,” he said, holding out a hand. “What a–”
Wasn’t going to say Pleasure. Wasn’t going to say Nice.
“–Surprise to see you here.”
“…Frankly, I was under the impression you had retired.”
It had taken Siger a moment to spot it, but that was undoubtedly the late Jonathan Harker’s boy. How interesting. From time to time, he had wondered where he had ended up - especially after his own son’s friendship with the man. Presumably the other had taken over his father’s business, something that had clearly forced the foolish boy to smarten up considerably.
“Sir Holmes, Mr Harker,” Siger corrected with a tone of somewhat disdain, shaking the offered hand with a grim that was purposely a little too firm. Thought the other had changed his appearance, he apparently still had a lot to learn about how to be polite at these kinds of events. One of the first rules was to know who you were speaking with and to not get their name incorrect - including their title.
“It is a good thing that you are no longer in contract with Mycroft.” That was assumes on Siger’s behalf but, from his point of view, it seemed ridiculous that his son would still talk to Jeremy. “He is an Earl now, you know. I am sure that you would get that wrong too.”
He shook his head a little, making a small show of disappointment, before moving on to the topic of his career. “And, to answer your assumption, I am retired, yes, but you know the state of politics nowadays. They need all the help they can get, and thus they have called me in to assist, what with me being one of the most efficient Chief Whip’s my political party have had. And what about yourself, hm? You are following in your father’s footsteps, I take it?”